05 Jul 2009: Native News from PECHANGA.net

Our freedom isn't exactly free (ARIZONA) -- In light of the recent deaths of four esteemed Navajo Code Talkers, we are once again reminded of the ultimate sacrifices of those who continue to fight for our freedoms and the true meaning behind celebrating the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.

A Native American Take on Independence (NORTH DAKOTA) -- This weekend we celebrate our nation's 232nd birthday. But it's not a celebration for everybody, especially for many of the Indian tribes who lived on this land long before the Founding Fathers got here.

Russell: When can we blame the victims? (INDIANA) -- Sovereignty, even in the watered down version approved by our colonial masters, carries awesome power within the tribal community. I’ve always been taught that power carries responsibility.

NorthEast Two-Spirit Society and Audre Lorde Project’s Executive Director Forced from Manhattan Pride March (NEW YORK) -- The NorthEast Two-Spirit Society and Kris Hayashi, Executive Director of Audre Lorde Project were forcefully ejected from the annual Heritage of Pride March in New York City on June 29, 2009.

Freedom, Guns, and the Akwesasne (ONTARIO) -- According to Mike Mitchell, the new band councilor, we hope he doesn't mean that the Indigenous give and the colonists take! He has announced a give-and-take style negotiation with Canada.

Supreme Court ruling favors village Native corporation (ALASKA) -- The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a request to review a land dispute between a Kodiak rancher and a village Native corporation, effectively ending a court battle that has dragged on for more than three decades.

Editorial / Divisions among natives will destroy aboriginals (ONTARIO) -- In the beginning I felt pride, a pride I'm sure many have never been able to express, about the way native people were standing up for the earth and the needs of our future generations. However, it's so hard to see what is happening now.

Cherokee Nation gearing up for battle over land use for hunting and fishing (OKLAHOMA) -- The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is telling its citizens that they do not need state hunting or fishing licenses when hunting or fishing on lands that historically belonged to the Cherokees.

Cherokees developing tribe's first national park / An old courthouse will be the jewel of the Delaware County site. (OKLAHOMA) -- ROSE-In a wooded corner of western Delaware County, workers are preserving a page of Cherokee Nation history. They have completed nearly one-third of a six-phase, $4.42 million master plan to develop Saline National Park, the tribe's first national park.

Workers preserving historic Cherokee Nation courthouse in Delaware County (OKLAHOMA) -- Workers have completed nearly one-third of a six-phase, $4.42 million master plan to develop the Cherokee Nation's first national park in Delaware County.

Apache trout and Apache Tribe face an emergency (ARIZONA) -- Hatchery trout in the White Mountains of Arizona – and members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe who raise and rely on these fish – have a new problem to contend with.

Chairman's Corner (ARIZONA) -- When I was sworn in as the Chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe I took an oath to uphold and defend the Tribe's constitution.

Lumbee chairman to discuss budget (NORTH CAROLINA) -- The annual State of the Tribe address is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Lumbee Tribal Office. The tribal chairman is required by the Lumbee Constitution to give the State of the Tribe address annually.

NAIHC names Navajo man as executive director (WASHINGTON) -- The National American Indian Housing Council named Mellor Willie, a member of the Navajo Nation, as its executive director.

Job allows woman to speak for tribe (NEBRASKA) -- When she was 12, Danelle Smith set a goal of becoming a lawyer. Nothing, she decided, would stand in her way. Not the poverty and unemployment that surrounded her on Nebraska's Winnebago Indian Reservation.

Duwamish donate salmon dinners to Nickelsville homeless (WASHINGTON) -- At the conclusion of the Duwamish Tribe Salmon Bake For Justice fundraiser at the Longhouse Museum Friday, July 3, Tribe Chairwoman Cecile Hansen drove two large trays of freshly baked smoked salmon to the homeless encampment many call "Nickelsville."

OP/ED: Healthy intentions (MASSACHUSETTS) -- Without a doubt, it was heartening news when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently acknowledged the deplorable state of health care for many Indians in the U.S. and pledged to do more.

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